Could You Save Someone's Life?

Last week, I was watching my three-year-old's group swimming lesson. They were going in the big pool for the first time, and everyone was all lined up on a step. The teacher turned her back to the group so that she could swim with one of the kids down the length of the pool, when something happened that nearly stopped my heart:

Last week, I was watching my three-year-old's group swimming lesson. They were going in the big pool for the first time, and everyone was all lined up on a step. The teacher turned her back to the group so that she could swim with one of the kids down the length of the pool, when something happened that nearly stopped my heart:

My daughter slipped off the step and fell into the too-deep water, which rose quickly above her head. The teacher was at the other end of the pool, so, without thinking, I jumped in—clothes and all—to pull my daughter out. She was under for just a few seconds (which seemed like an eternity) and, despite being a bit freaked out (of course!), can't wait to get back in the pool. Later that night, after a much-needed glass of wine, I started thinking about the very serious business of knowing CPR. Accidents can happen likethat.

According to the American Heart Association, less than 1/3 of sudden cardiac arrest victims receive CPR from bystanders. But when bystanders perform CPR, it can double or triple the victim's chance for survival. Twelve million people are trained in CPR every year. Are you one of them?

Do you know CPR? Do you know anyone who has used it—or who owes their life to it?